Apparatus for catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons



Dec. 9, 1952 G, ALTHER 2,621,113

APPARATUS FOR CATALYTIC CONVERSION OF RYDROCARBONS Original Filed sept. 24, 194:5

Patented Dec. 9, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR CATALYTIC CONVERSION F HYDROCARBONS Joseph G. Alther, Evanston, Ill., assigner to Universal Oil Products Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Original application September 24, 1943, Serial No. 503,638, now Patent No. 2,427,341, dated September 16, 1947. Divided and this applicav tion October 31, 1945, Serial No. 625,850

Claims. (Cl. 23-288) This application vis a division of my application Serial No. 503,638 illed September 24, 1943, now Patent No. 2,427,341.

The invention relates to an improved process 2 zation, the preferred catalyst comprises subdivided solid particles of alumina, composited with one cr more other metal oxides, such as those of chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium,

of the type in which fluid hydrocarbons are 5 cerium, thorium and tin. In general, the higher converted to more valuable products in the presvalent formation of these metal oxides are preence of subdivided solid catalyst which promotes fered and chromium sesquicxide is the most comthe conversion reaction, accompanied by the monly employed.

simultaneous regeneraton of such catalyst which No novelty is claimed herein for any of the has become contaminated with deleterious comcatalysts above mentioned, nor for the methods bustible products of the reaction and return of the regenerated catalyst to the reaction zone. The invention also provides an apparatus suitable for conducting the process.

The invention is particularly directed to the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon oil for the production of substantial yields of aviation base and/or motor gasoline of high octane rating. However, the features of the invention will be found advantageous as applied to numerous other catalytically promoted hydrocarbon conversion reactions including the reforming of fractions boiling Within the range of gasoline to improve their quality, the dehydrogenation of normally liquid and normally gaseous hydrocarbons, the aromatization or dehydrocyclization of hydrocarbons susceptible to such treatment and operatins involving various combinations of such reactions. It is, therefore, not intended to limit the invention in its broader aspects to any specific hydrocarbon conversion reaction.

For the catalytic cracking of normally liquid hydrocarbons boiling above the range of gasoline and for the catalytic reforming of gasoline and naphtha fractions, the catalyst employed is preferably of the. siliceous type comprising subdivided solid particles of silica composited with one or more metal oxides, alumina, chromia and magnesia being the metal oxides most commonly employed. This type of cracking or reforming catalyst may be prepared from natural clays or other alumino silicates or it may be prepared entirely or, in part, by synthesis of the desired ingredients. For example, the silica may be precipitated from a solution of sodium silicate cr the like and the metal oxide or oxides may be precipitated from solutions of their salts. Preferably, to prevent damage or permanent impairment to the activity of the catalyst at the high temperatures commonly encountered in its regeneration, it is substantially freed of alkali metal compounds at some stage during its preparatlon so that the nal catalyst is substantially free of such materials.

For promoting dehydrogenation andaromatiby which they may be prepared and it is entirely Within the scope of the invention to utilize any other catalysts of known value for promoting the desired reaction so long as it is in the form of subdivided solid particles which can be made to flow through the system in the manner provided.

For the sake of conciseness and to avoid am-V biguity, the features of the invention will be explained as applied to catalytic cracking. Their application to other catalytically promoted hydrocarbon conversion reactions will be apparent to those familiar With the art from this description.

The most advanced and successful process for the production of aviation base and motor gasolines of high octane rating from higher boiling hydrocarbon oils, by catalytic cracking, and from gasoline or naphtha fractions, by that form of cracking operation generally termed catalytic reforming, involves continuous passage of the catalyst in series through separate confined reaction and regenerating zones, whereby to make the process continuous and avoid alternate use of the same reaction vessel in processing and regenerating service. In one highly advantageous process of this general type, the mass of catalyst being employed to promote the cracking reaction in the reaction zone and the mass of catalyst undergoing regeneration are maintained in a turbulent fluid-like condition resembling that of a boiling liquid. Fluidization of the catalyst mass or bed in the reaction zone is brought about employed for burning the combustible contaminants from the catalyst particles, and resulting.

combustion gases'upwardly through the bed in the same manner.

fluid conversion products upwardlyv This results in pronounced .hindered settling of the catalyst particles and their circulation within the fluid bed in both a1* upward and a downward direction with considerable turbulence in the bed.

One of the important objects of the invention is to provide a process of the general type above mentioned in which a turbulent fluid-like bed of subdivided solid catalyst particles is maintained in the regenerating zone, but in which the catalyst particles are transported upwardly through the reaction zone in the ascending stream of fluid reactants and resulting conversion products without substantial turbulence in the reaction zone, I do not mean to imply that the catalyst particles and the upwardly moving stream of fiuid reactants and conversion productsV pass through the reaction zone at the, same upward velocity but that there is notV sufficient upward and downward movement of the catalystA particles to cause turbulence of the mass-in the reaction zone.

It is now well known that the gas velocity can be regulated in relation to the average particle size of the catalyst to bring about the turbulent fluid-like condition above mentioned which I preferably employ in the regenerating zone. At a substantially higher gas velocity the catalyst particles will ow along in the gas stream at substantially the same velocity as the latter and have substantially the same residence time in the reaction zone. I have found that a velocity intermediate that which will produce pronounced hindered settling and turbulence and that at which strictly stream-line ow with no hindered settling is encountered will give a condition in which there is not sufcient hindered settling of the catalyst particles to cause turbulence, but at which the catalyst particles move upwardly through the reaction zone at a slower rate than the iiuid reactants and conversion products. I believe that this difference between the rate of upward flow of the catalyst particles and the transporting stream of fluid is due principally to slippage therebetween and, althrough there is apparently some settling or back flow of the catalyst particles, particularly in the upper region of the reaction zone, it is not suicient to cause the turbulence encountered at the lower velocity. This condition of limited hindered settling, without the creation of substantial turbulence, is employed in the reaction l zone in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, while a turbulent fluidlike condition is employed in the catalyst bed in the regenerating zone.

By `employing a turbulent duid-like catalyst l bed in the regenerating zone I retain the advantage of substantially uniform temperature distribution throughout the bed, brought about by its turbulence, and thus avoid localized zones of excessively high temperature, such as encountered when it is attempted to regenerate the catalyst in the form of a relatively compact mass. Consequently an average regenerating temperature more closely approaching the permissible maximum may be employed without the danger of damaging the catalyst by localized excessively high temperature.

B'y passing the fluid reactants and conversion products upwardly through the reaction zone in contact with the catalyst particles at a velocity regulated to avoid pronounced hindered settling, but at a greater net upward velocity than that of the catalyst particles, I obtain concurrent flow for the catalyst and reactants in the reaction zone and I am able to transport the catalyst through the reaction zone in the ascending stream of reactants and iiuid conversion products without a detrimental degree of turbulence and without keeping the reactants continually in contact with the same catalyst particles as they move through the reaction zone. I desire to avoid pronounced turbulence in the reaction zone since I have found that this gives rise to bubblingV or channeling of a substantial portionof the fluid reactants through the bed without good contact with the catalyst particles. It is detrimental in the reaction zone where the fluidizing medium comprises the reactants' and resulting conversion products, since aisubstantial portion of the reactants will thus pass through; the bed with little or no conversion or, in the absence of good contact with the catalyst, may encounter excessive thermal conversion, but it is not particularly objectionable in the regenerating zone where the fiuidizing medium is air or other oxidizing gas and resulting combustion gases. In other words, the benefit of substantially uniform temperature distribution which results from the use of a turbulent fluid-like catalyst bed warrants its use in the regenerating step despite the fact that it requires the use of a somewhat greater quantity of oxidizing gas to obtain the desired degree of regeneration but, for other reasons, I prefer to avoid pronounced hindered settling of the catalyst particles and turbulence in the reaction zone.

To assist in obtaining the aforementioned desirable flow conditions in the reaction zone, I preferably employ an elongated relatively slender or tubular type reactor in place of the relatively large diameter cylindrical vessel commonly used in present commercial installations of the fiuid bed type. To keep the reaction tube relatively small without exceeding the desired velocity in this zone and without sacrificing charging stock capacity, I preferably employ a plurality of such zones arranged for the ow of reactants, conversion products and catalyst upwardly therethrough in parallel, with provision for supplying substantially equal quantities of catalyst and uid reactants to each and with provision for supplying contaminated catalyst discharged from the several reaction tubes to a common regenerating vessel from which the regenerated catalyst is returned in each of the reaction tubes.

To provide a method of maintaining a suitable Velocity for the transporting fluid in the reaction zone and to provide a high degree of flexibility with respect to the rate of catalyst circulation through the system independent of the rate at which hydrocarbon reactants are supplied to the reaction zone, a regulated quantity of relatively inert iiuid, such as hydrocarbon gases or steam, for example, may be supplied to the reaction zone with the hydrocarbon reactants to be converted. The use of such inert material will also be beneficial in many catalytic hydrocarbon conversion reactions which are advantageously conducted at a low effective pressure, since the inert gas will produce a partial pressure effect in the reaction zone. Thus, I may obtain an effective pressure equivalent to partial vacuum while operating at substantially atmospheric or superatmospheric gauge pressure in the reaction zone.

Another important feature of the invention which assists in the achievement of the desired ow conditions above mentioned in the reaction zone resides in the provision for discharging catalyst and the transporting vapors and/or gases from the upper end of the reaction zone into a separating zone and catalyst hopper of enlarged cross-sectional area, wherein gravitational separation of a major portion of the catalyst particles from the vapor-gas stream is effected by virtue of the reduced linear velocity of the latter. Preferably, this enlarged separating zone is mounted above the regenerating vessel and a relatively compact column of catalyst particles is transported by gravity from this relatively high point in thesystem to the lower portion of the regenerating vessel, wherein it is picked upby the incoming stream of oxidizing gas utilized to effect the regeneration and is carried therewith into the turbulent fluid-like bed maintained -i-n the regenerating vessel. -To complete the catalyst circuit, catalyst is preferably withdrawn from' a relatively high point of the fluid bed in the regenerating zone and flows as one or a plurality of relatively compact columns downwardly into the lower portion of the reaction zone or into each of the several tubular members comprising this zone, wherein it is picked up by the incoming stream or streams of fluid reactants and any auxiliary gas employed and is transported through the reaction zone back into the catalyst hopper and separating zone.

As another importantl feature of the invention I preferably materially reduce the quantity of combustible hydrocarbons, which would other- Wise be supplied with the catalyst from the reaction to the regenerating zone, by extensively stripping the catalyst of occluded volatile hydrocarbons following its discharge from the reaction zone and prior to its introduction into the regenerating zone. This extensive stripping is conveniently and preferably accomplished while maintaining the catalyst particles in the form of a turbulent fluid-like bed, by passing steam or other suitable relatively inert or non-combustible gas upwardly through the bed and discharging it therefrom into the aforementioned separating zone so that the hydrocarbon volatiles liberated from the catalyst mass commingle with the outgoing conversion products and are supplied therewith to the subsequent separating and recovery equipment.

The above mentioned feature of the invention f should not be confused with the supercial purging commonly obtained in present uid bed operation by passing steam' or other relatively inert gas upwardly through a relatively dense downwardly moving column of catalyst particles in a section of the transfer lines through which the catalyst is transported between the reaction and regenerating rcones. The latter method does not and cannot achieve the extensive stripping or substantial elimination of volatile hydrocarbons from the contaminated catalyst which is accomplished by the method and means herein provided. By employing the method herein provided as much as 50 weight per cent, and in some instances even more, of the combustibles commonly carried by the catalyst particles from the reaction zone to the regenerating zone can be stripped from the catalyst, thus avoiding combustion of these valuable hydrocarbons in the regenerating step and considerably reducing the load on the regenerating equipment. Since the combustibles thus removed will be those which are relatively light and high lin hydrogen as compared with the combustible deposits remaining on the catalyst, the formation of steam in the regenerating 6. zone will not only be greatly reduced, but will be less per pound of combustibles burned in the regenerator. lIfhis is a pronounced advantage with many catalysts and particularly the preferred type of cracking catalyst above mentioned, which are susceptible to damage by contact with large quantities of steam at the high temperatures employed in the regenerating step. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the combustibles carried by the catalyst passing from the reaction zone to the regenerating zone are reduced by at least 25 weight per cent, and preferably more, before the catalyst enters the zone in which the residual combustible deposits are burned therefrom.

The aforementionedand other features of the invention will be apparent with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing andthefollowing description thereof. It will, of course; be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific form of apparatus illustrated in the drawing nor is it limited to the use of all of the advantageous features provided. However, many of the features have an interdependent and cooperative relationship when employed in combination and the invention is particularly directed to such advantageous and cooperative combinations of various features.

The drawing is an elevational View, shown principally in longitudinal section, of one specific form of apparatus embodying the aforementioned and other features of the invention and in which the improved process provided by the invention may be conducted.

Referring to the drawing, the apparatus here illustrated comprises a regenerating vessel l having a substantially cylindrical vertically disposed shell 2 and a substantially conical bottom head 3. Shell 2 is surmounted by a gravity separator and hopper l having a semi-elliptical upper head 5, in which the cyclone separator 5 is mounted, and a substantially conical bottom head I connected with the top head 5 by the relatively short cylindrical section 8. A portion of the bottom head 'l also serves as the top closure member for the regenerating zone and extends outwardly beyond the cylindrical shell 2 of the regenerator to receive the upper ends of the reaction tubes 9 which are disposed at a plurality of spaced points about the periphery of the regenerator shell and extend vertically downward to approximately the lower end of the regenerator. The reaction tubes e each terminate in a substantially conical bottom closure member i8 and are open at their upper ends to communicate With the hopper and gravity separator 6l.

Although the provision of a purging Zone and its location are not limiting features of the invention, a purging zone is provided in the case illustrated within hopper ll and is defined by the substantially cylindrical member Il which extends from the space enclosed by shell 8 of the hopper downwardly to an elevation slightly above that at which it would join the cone bottom 'i of the hopper, the central portion of the latter also serving as the bottom closure member of the purging zone.

A standpipe i2 which serves as a transfer line through which a relatively dense column of contaminated catalyst is supplied from the upper portion of the purging zone to the lower portion of the regenerating vessel is open at its upper and lower ends and terminates at its lower end adjacent a flow regulating member i3 which is adjustable -to vary the opening through which the catalyst flowsv from the lower end ofV standpipe I2 into the regenerator.

A turbulent fluid-like bed of subdivided solid catalyst indicated at I4 is maintained within the regenerator, extending within the latter from the perforate plate or distributing grid I5, which is provided across the regenerator at approximately the juncture of shell 2 with head 3, to an elevation which is preferably somewhat below the lower extremity of member 1. The approximate upper extremity of the turbulent iiuid bed I4 is indicated by the broken line I 6.

In operation the hydrocarbon reactants to be converted are supplied, preferably in vaporous state, and heated to approximately the desired reaction temperature through line I'I and valve IB to a suitable distributing header I Il wherefrom they are directed in substantially equal quantities through the branch lines 23 to the lower portion of'each of the reaction tubes 3. Valves may be provided, when desired, in lines 2G for obtaining substantially equal distribution of the reactants to the several reaction tubes but, in the case illustrated, this is accomplished by means of the orifice plates indicated at 2 I. In the conversion of liquid charging stock it may, when desired, be supplied to the reaction tubes in liquid state and either preheated or at substantially atmospheric temperature, in which case it will be heated and vaporized by Contact with the hot regenerated catalyst in the lower portion of the reaction tubes.

Hot regenerated catalyst is directed from any desired point in the turbulent fluid bed I4 of the regenerator, and in this case from the upper portion of the bed, downwardly through the standpipes 22 and the adjustable orices or flow control valves 23 provided adjacent the lower end of the standpipes into the lower portion of each oi the reaction tubes 9 in substantially equal amounts. uniform distribution of the hot regenerated catalyst to the reaction tubes, xed orifices may be provided in the standpipes 22 in place of the adjustable members 23. In any case, there is preferably a slight pressure drop for loss of hydrostatic head as the catalyst enters the reaction tubes from standpipes 2 The catalyst moves downwardly through each of the standpipes as a relatively compact column and steam or other suitable relatively inert gas is preferably supplied to each of the standpipes on the upstream side of members 23 or the substitute fixed orifices, not indicated, in relatively small amounts regulated to prevent excessive compaction of the columns. Lines 24 and valves 25 are provided for this purpose. quantity of relatively inert gas thus supplied to standpipe 22 is also sufficient to prevent the substantial transfer of oxidizing gas and combustion gases from the regenerating Zone to the reaction zone with the regenerated catalyst, but such stripping need not be as extensive or complete as that afforded in the preferred embodiment of the invention, as will be later described, to the contaminated catalyst passing from the reaction zone to the regenerating zone.

T:Iot regenerated catalyst supplied, as above described, to the lower portion of the reaction tubes 9 is picked up by the incoming fluid reactants from lines 2li and transported upwardly through the reaction tubes, preferably under the nonturbulent fiow conditions previously described. Conversion of the uid reactants takes place during their Contact with the catalyst in tubes 9 and. resulting iiuid conversion products and catalyst particles containing deleterious heavy contami- When desired, to obtain substantially Preferably, the

nants formed by the reaction and occluded lighter hydrocarbons pass from the upper end of the reaction tubes into the catalyst hopper and gravity separator 4. Here a material reduction in the linear velocity of the fluid conversion products, by virtue of the increased cross-sectional area of the zone into which the catalyst and conversion products are discharged, causes substantial settling of the catalyst particles to effect the separation of a major portion`thereof from the bulk of the vaporous and gaseous products.

The contaminated catalyst particles pass downwardly through the conical section of separator 4 into the lower portion of the space circumscribed by member I I through a continuous opening 255 provided between the lower extremity of member II and the cone bottom 'I of the hopper. When desired, a plurality of spaced ports maybe provided through the lower portion of member I I in place of the continuous opening 26. The contaminated catalyst particles are then picked up in the incoming stream of steam or other relatively inert non-combustible purging gas, supplied through line 22 and valve 28, and are transported upwardly through the purging zone and substantially stripped by the purging gas of occluded light hydrocarbons.

A perorate plate or other distributing member 29 is provided across the lower portion of the purging zone to substantially uniformly distribute the catalyst particles and purging gas therein. Preferably, the upward velocity of the purging gas is regulated to maintain a turbulent fluidlilze bed ci the catalyst particles, such as indicated at S, in the purging zone and the materially reduced velocity of the purging gas and volatile hydrocarbons leaving the upper portion of this zone causes substantial separation of the catalyst particles therefrom adjacent the upper end of member Ii. The upper extremity of the fluid may be maintained somewhat bethe upper extremity of member II or, by increasing the quantity of purging gas supplied through line 2'? and valve 28, it may be carried at a sufficiently higher level so that catalyst will spill over the upper extremity of member I! and fall back into the relatively compact mass 3I of catalyst particles passingI from the reaction tubes to the purging zone, so as to obtain recirculation through the latter.

The purging gas and volatiles stripped from the catalyst in the purging zone commingle in the upper portion of separator 4 with the outgoing vaporous and gaseous conversion products and the mixture is directed with the relatively small amount of entrained catalyst particles into separator which, in the case illustrated, is a separator of the centrifugal or cyclone type. Catalyst particles separated from the outgoing vapors and gases in separator 6 are returned, in the case illustrated, through standpipe to the iluid bed in the purging zone, although they may, when desired, be returned to the relatively compact bed 3l or to the relatively dense column of catalyst particles passing through conduit I2 to the regenerating zone. Vapors and gases from which all or a major portion of the catalyst particles have been separated are directed from separator 6 through line 33 and valve 34 to suitable fractionating and recovery equipment, not illustrated.

Conduit I2 terminates in the case illustrated, in the upper portion of the fluid bed 30 within the purging zone and a relatively dense column of substantially stripped catalyst particles flows downward from the iiuid bed in the purging zone 'through conduit I2 into the lower 'portion of the regenerating vessel at a rate controlled by the adjustment of member I5. Preferably, to prevent excessive compaction of the column of catalyst particles in conduit I 2, a regulated relatively small amount of steam or other suitable relatively inert gas is supplied to this conduit through line 35 and valve 36 to insure the continuous flow of catalyst particles through the conduit.

Air or other suitable oxidizing gas is supplied to the lower portion of the regenerating vessel through line 3'! and valve 38 and picks up the incoming catalyst particles from conduit I2. The oxidizing gas and catalyst particles are uniformly distributed over the cross-sectional area of the regenerating zone by the distributing member I and the quantity of oxidizing gas suppliedto the regenerator is regulated to maintain the turbulent fluid-like bed- I4 of catalyst particles in the regenerator. Combustion gases formed by burning of thedepcsitedcontarninants from the catalyst particles in bed I4 are disengaged from a major portion ofV the catalyst particles at substantially the upper extremity I5 of the fluid bed and are directed with the relatively small amount of remaining entrained catalyst particles to separator 39. Separator 39 is also of the centrifugal or cyclone type, in the case illustrated, and catalyst particles separated from the outgoing. combustion gases in this zone are directed through standpipe 4t back into the fluid bed I4, while the combustion gases from which all or a major portion of ther catalyst particles have been separated are discharged through line dl and valve d2, preferably to lsuitable heat recovery equipment, not illustrated.

It is. of course, entirely within the scope of the invention to eliminate members II and 29 in the catalyst hopper and separator 4 and terminate conduit I2 at its juncture with member l, thus eliminating the extensive and substantially complete purging of the catalyst particles passing from the reaction zone to the regenerating zone. Insuch instances the quantity of steam or other relatively inert gas supplied through line 35 and valve 3G of conduit I2 is preferably increased over that otherwise required so as to obtain some stripping of light occluded hydrocarbons from the column of catalyst particles passing through conduit I2.

Due to the length and substantially compact condition of the column of catalyst particles passing through conduit I2 and the duid-like condition of the bed Id in the regenerator, the hydrostatic pressure at the discharge end of conduit I 2 immediately above member I3 sgreater than that in 4the zone into which the catalyst from this column is discharged, so that a iiow of catalyst particles downwardly through conduit I2 and upwardly into and through the iiuid bed I4 in the regenerator is maintained. Member I3 is adjusted to control the pressure drop at the discharge end of conduit I2. The catalyst circuit is completed through standpipes 22 and the tubes 9 by virtue of the fact that .the density and weight of the column of catalyst in each of the standpipes 22 is greater than in the communicating reaction tubes 9. The force which effects circulation is the kinetic energy of the incoming streams of uid reactants and oxidizing gas.

When desired, for the purpose previously explained, suitable relatively non-reactive gas, such as, for example, steam or hydrocarbon gas derived from within the system or from an external source may be supplied in regulated amounts through line 43 and valve 44 to line II, from which it passes with the incoming hydrocarbon reactants through the header or distributing member I9 and lines 20 to the reaction tubes 9 to increase the linear velocity of the ascending stream of fluid which transports the catalyst particles through the reaction tubes.

In many instances even with the substantially complete removal of light occluded hydrocarbons from the contaminated catalyst before the latter enters the regenerating zone, burning of the remaining combustibles in the regenerator will store suiiicient heat in the regenerated catalyst to satisfy the thermal requirements of the endothermic conversion reaction taking place in the reaction tubes 9 and a substantial thermal balance can be achieved between the reaction and regenerating steps by control of the rate at which catalyst is circulated through the system. `By, use'of4 auxiliary transporting iiuid supplied through line 42 and valve 63, as previously described, this rate of circulation may be increased to any desired degree within reasonable limits without necessarily increasing the hydrocarbon feed rateto the reaction tubes. However, I prefer to keep the catalyst circulation rate at a relatively low value in relation to the hydrocarbon feed rate, for example, within the limits of 1 tolO pounds of catalyst per pound of hydrocarbon reactants. When the rate of circulation obtained Witha catalyst-oil ratio within the range above given will not achieve substantial thermal balance between the reaction and regenerating steps I prefer to provide suitable well known means, Anot illustrated, for increasing the heat input to the reaction zone or for abstracting excess heat from the regenerating zone.

Additional heat may beL supplied to the `reaction zone, for example, by external heating of the reaction tubes 9 and/or by preheating the hydrocarbon reactants supplied through line I'I and/or any inert gas supplied through line 43. Preferably, however, the degree of preheat in these streams does not materially exceed the temperature at which it is desired to'conductthe conversion reaction.

When excess heat is generated by burning of the combustible contaminants from the catalyst in the regenerating step, a stream of hot catalyst particles may be withdrawn from the fluid bed I4 and passed through a suitable cooler, such' as a waste-heat boiler or a preheater for the hydrocarbon reactants or inert gas, and the resulting cooled catalyst returned to a lower point in the f regenerator. This general method of abstracting excess heat from the regenerating step is now commonly employed in fluid bed operations and no novelty is claimed for it herein except in combination with other features of the invention.

It should also be understood that the invention incorporates features which will be found advantageous regardless of the particular flow conditions employed in the reaction zone and that the invention is therefore not strictly limited to the preferred flow conditions above described in this zone, it being within the scope of rating chamber mounted on said vessel having an enlarged upper portion of greater cross-sectional area than the vessel and a substantially conical bottom head extending downwardly into said vessel and serving as a top closure member for the vessel, a plurality of vertical tubular elements adjacent and spaced around the periphery of said vessel and extending into said enlarged upper portion of the separating chamber, a perforated grid extending across the lower portion of said vessel, conduits connecting the interior of said vessel at points a substantial distance above said grid with the lower portion of each of said tubular elements, a fluid inlet at the lower end of each of the tubular elements, means for discharging fluid from the uper portion of said separating chamber, and an open-ended standpipe extending from a point within the separating chamber through said conical bottom head to the lower portion of said vessel below said grid.

2. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a vertically disposed, substantially cylindrical vessel, means for supplying uid to the lower portion of said vessel, means for discharging fluid from its upper portion, a separating chamber mounted on said vessel having an enlarged upper portion or' greater cross-sectional area than the vessel and a substantially conical bottom head extending downwardly into said vessel and serving as a top closure member for the vessel, a plurality of vertical tubular elements adjacent and spaced around the periphery of said vessel and extending into said enlarged upper portion of the separating chamber, conduits connecting the interior of said vessel with the lower portion of each of said tubular elements, a uid inlet at the lower end of each of the tubular elements, means for discharging fluid from the upper portion of said separating chamber, an openended standpipe extending from a point within the separating chamber through said conical bottom head to the lower portion of said vessel, a cylindrical baffle disposed centrally within said separating chamber and encircling the upper portion of said standpipe, said batlie terminating short of said conical bottom head, and means for introducing uid to the separating chamber below the space dened by said baffle.

3. The apparatus as dened in claim 2 further characterized in the provision of a perforated grid extending across the lower portion of the space defined by said bafe.

4. An apparatus of the class described compris ing, in combination, a vertically disposed, substantially cylindrical vessel, means for supplying iluid to the lower portion of said vessel, means for discharging fluid from its upper portion, a separating chamber mounted on said vessel, a plurality of vvertical tubular elements adjacent and spaced around the periphery of said vessel and extending into said separating chamber conduits connecting the interior of said vessel with the lower portion of each of said tubular elements, a fluid inlet at the lower end of each of the tubular elements, means for discharging iiuid from the upper portion of said separating chamber, an open-ended standpipe extending from a point within the separating chamber to the lower portion of said vessel, a cylindrical baffle disposed centrally within said separating chamber and encircling the upper portion of said standpipe, said baie terminating short of the bottom of said separating chamber, and means for introducing fluid to the separating chamber below the space dened by said baiile.

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a vertically disposed, substantially cylindrical vessel, means for supplying uid to the lower portion of said vessel, means for discharging uid from its upper portion, a separating chamber mounted on said vessel, a plurality of vertical tubular elements adjacent and spaced around the periphery of said vessel and extending into said separating chamber, a perforated grid extending across the lower portion of said vessel, conduits connecting the interior of said vessel at points a substantial distance above said grid with the lower portion of each of said tubular elements, a fluid inlet at the lower end of each of the tubular elements, means for discharging fluid from the upper portion of said separating chamber, an open-ended standpipe extending from a point within the separating chamber to the lower portion of said vessel below said grid, a cylindrical baiile disposed centrally within said separating chamber and encircling the upper portion of said standpipe, said bale terminating short of the bottom of said separating chamber, and means for introducing iiuid to the separating chamber below the space dened by said baille.

JOSEPH G. ALTHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: y

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,367,351 Hemminger Jan. 16, 1945 2,396,109 Martin Mar, 5, 1946 2,399,050 Martin Apr. 23, 1946 2.4171527 Sweeney Mar. 18, 1947 2,433,726 Angell Dec. 30, 1947 2,457,232 Hengstebeck Dec. 28, 1948 2,488,030 Scheinernan Nov. l5, 1949 

1. AN APPRATUS OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A VERTICALLY DISPOSED, SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL VESSEL, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING FLUID TO THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID VESSEL, MEANS FOR DISCHARGING FLUID FROM ITS UPPER PORTION, A SEPARATING CHAMBER ON SAID VESSEL HAING AN ENLARGED UPPER PORTION OF GREATER CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA THAN THE VESSEL AND A SUBSTANTIALLY CONICAL BOTTOM HEAD EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY INTO SAID VESSEL AND SERVING AS A TOP CLOSURE MEMBER FOR THE VESSEL, A PLURALITY OF VERTICAL TUBULAR ELEMENTS ADJACENT AND SPACED AROUND THE PERIPHERY OF SAID VESSEL AND EXTENDING INTO SAID ENLARGED UPPER PORTION OF THE SEPARATING CHAMBER, A PERFORATED GRID EXTENDING ACROSS THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID 